RESHAPING THE IMAGE OF BLACK WOMEN

Based on a post I shared a week ago today on my Instagram page of a picture of me as a child during a Christmas season in New York, with my mom in the background of the picture, I feel compelled to take that conversation unto another level. For some years now, it seems like it has become a trend for men, specifically black men, to shame, trash, humiliate, and criticize black women by characterizing them as being “too tough, too strong, irascible, unemotional, too masculine, simply angry, and/or unloving and unlovable”, and I, as an Afro-Cuban black man feel the need to speak on this very sensitive subject. What makes it even crazier to me, as my wife and I were speaking on this, these conversations are actually happening on well known and popular podcasts, and on shows with massive followings, as well as in settings that reach large communities and crowds.



Where to begin? To the best of my recollection, I don’t ever remember trashing black women in the manner I see so many men do these days. But, what I can say is,  when I was in my twenties and even into my thirties, I do recall being in and/or attempting to have romantic relationships with black women (whether they were black Cuban or African-American), where for some reason or another, it just never worked out, and they always seemed to be difficult relationships. And my own personal opinion of black women, regardless of culture, was starting to shape to believe that black women were difficult. But because luckily, I come from a strong Afro-Cuban spiritual foundation that has taught me enough to not ever go with any trend and to not adopt anyone’s opinion regardless of how popular such opinion might be, I checked myself quickly, and I took (and still do) the time to try to understand why is it that black women give off this unfounded belief of being too difficult to deal with. I also took the time to try to understand why few black men make the effort to investigate what’s at the sea-level of these beliefs (at least this is what it appears like to me). The following is what I’ve been able to gather over the years, and honestly speaking, if you are black and you would simply know your history, this shouldn’t be difficult to uncover and understand.

Some people conveniently forget it’s only been 215 years since the slave trade was abolished, BUT, the trauma black women, and men, endured kept going on well into the 1960’s, when racism and the continued mistreatment of black people took on yet another form, such as, systematic racism, institutional racism, structural racism, racial inequality in healthcare and so much more.

It’s so easy for men (black men) to condemn the black woman while totally ignoring and failing to understand the historical context behind why black women come across as, “so strong and tough”. Men seem to ignore and forget the traumatic history that black women energetically carry still to this day. Still in this day and age, the black communities around the world are still healing from 400 plus years of the most dehumanizing, terrorizing, and traumatic treatment any human being can ever receive. Some people conveniently forget it’s only been 215 years since the slave trade was abolished, BUT, the trauma black women, and men, endured kept going on well into the 1960’s, when racism and the continued mistreatment of black people took on yet another form, such as, systematic racism, institutional racism, structural racism, racial inequality in healthcare and so much more. And let’s not talk about the motives behind building what’s called, living communities or government-subsidized housing development communities referred to as, the projects, nor will we talk about the real motives behind the introduction of drugs into this country.

We as men also forget that the black woman has been abandoned by the black man. If not directly, then indirectly. What do I personally mean when I state “indirectly abandoned by the black man?” I’m referring to the possibility that maybe she grew up with dad in the house but in many cases, though dad was physically in the house, he was emotionally absent. He either was battling against some kind of debilitating addiction, or he was an abusive and traumatizing man himself, or he was a workaholic that spent the majority of his time working to keep basic needs met at home but, too tired to engage in any meaningful interaction with his daughter.

We as men, as black men, completely forget how we ourselves have had a very poor example of what a healthy protective man should really be and what a healthy, loving, and happy black woman looks like too. And most got their good examples from someone else’s dad or someone else’s mother, from afar, or from Cliff Huxtable in “The Cosby Show” (please do not turn this conversation into your personal opinion of Bill Cosby. No matter what the hell you say, it does not erase the FACT that “The Cosby Show” was for many, the closest they got to see about what a normal family should be like). But the truth of the matter is, way too many didn’t even have someone else’s father or mother to look up to nor even had time (or a good enough tv) to watch the Cosby Show either.

The same black man criticizing black woman for their strong and tough demeanor, is the same man/species that habitually contributes to the hurt black women feel by participating in the re-traumatizing experiences of black women.

All this to say: The same black man that repeatedly trashes the black woman, is the same man/species responsible for the brokenness of the black woman. The same man that believes black women are just difficult, is the same man/species that historically fails to provide safe space for the black woman to fully heal from her personal and inherited traumas. The same man that believes black women are just angry, is the same man/species that provokes the anger to begin with. The same black man criticizing black woman for their strong and tough demeanor, is the same man/species that habitually contributes to the hurt black women feel by participating in the re-traumatizing experiences of black women. How so? By abusing her verbally, emotionally, mentally, physically, and breaking her spirit. By using her, betraying her, abandoning her, gaslighting her, abandoning her children, which oftentimes are his too. By professing love to her while supposedly falling in-love elsewhere. Oh wait, isn’t all of the above-mentioned what the black man was taught by the master during enslavement? He was taught to hate black women. He was taught to hate himself. He was taught that the only thing that was ever good and above him, was white. When children were repeatedly removed and taken away from their mothers and fathers, the black man (and black women too) was trained to become desensitized from such a painful separation, which is why historically, in part, it “seems” like it’s easy for the black man to leave the home. There are other implications here with the latter statement but that’s another topic for another time.

This is not to say black women don’t have real issues to work through, address, release and heal, but it sure isn’t a positive contribution nor helpful in any way when black men find it easy to repeatedly put black women down as if us black men are not part of the problem that needs to be addressed and worked through as well. Black men have failed to realize that while we put down black women and hate her by way of our words, expression, and actions, or lack of action, in some way we are also hating our own mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers, even if we never met them. You see, to repeatedly talk negatively about black women, is to ignore the struggles of the black woman. We want black women to be more submissive, loving, easy-going, and laid back, but how can this really be when for the most part, black women continuously find themselves being unsupported, abandoned, underpaid (regardless if she’s way better at what she does than her white male/female counterpart), always putting out the next fire, lacking access to real healthcare, struggling to even have a doctor that will believe her physical pain and complaints (even when such doctor is also black), and wearing many different hats all at once? When is there any real time to put your guard down and adequately love on yourself when you can’t even lay down your worries, stress, and concerns? How can the black woman meet all the expectations of the black man when her spirit has been broken, both historically (meaning, the history in her DNA. Her inherited trauma) and on a personal level? How can the black woman meet the standards of the black man when the reality is, the black man still to this date don’t know himself yet either? His true self! To reject this spiritual truth about the fact that, trauma still runs through the veins of black people, is to remain in a dissociative state of mind. In recent years is when the voice of science has decided to echo what various ATR’s (African Traditional Religious Practices), and spiritual healers have always known for a very long time when speaking about epigenetics.

Black man, you just met this young lady you claim to be interested in, and you want her to be on her very best behavior for you, but you have totally ignored she’s a single mother wearing many hats all at once, all while perhaps, you yourself have not addressed your own personal and inherited traumas. Why not start by assisting in alleviating the weight so that she can slowly but surely start to feel a little more free and this way, she can do a better job in being able to show up as fully as she possibly can? First and foremost, and hopefully, showing up for herself first! We as black men have the responsibility of addressing our own unspoken and hidden issues. Failure to do so, can only cause more harm not just to black women, but to ourselves, thus affecting how we are able to show up (or not) in the community.

Perhaps, you’re attempting to date a black woman or you’re married to a black woman who’s history dates all the way back to the Tignon Laws of the mid 1700’s when in the South, black women were forced to hide their natural beautiful hair by forcing them to wear head wraps.

Most importantly, in my opinion, the black man has to be open and willing to decolonize his own mind. And part of this process of undressing the mind from the traumatic, unfounded beliefs, unfavorably and negative characterization of the black woman, starts with educating ourselves so that we may get off the wagon of ignorance. Ignorance is a spirit. It’s a vibration that unless it’s challenged, it’s there to stay. We as black men want black women to always feel beautiful and sexy, but many of us have forgotten or we’ve failed to learn the historical events that contributes to her inability to feel beautiful. Perhaps, you’re attempting to date a black woman or you’re married to a black woman who’s history dates all the way back to the Tignon Laws of the mid 1700’s when in the South, black women were forced to hide their natural beautiful hair by forcing them to wear head wraps. Why? Because their beautiful hair was considered a threat by white women. And even though the wearing of head wraps did not originate in the South and has a beautiful history that starts in various parts of Africa, it went from something that was once a sign of opulence, representing status, identifying a woman’s cultural and familial practices, to a symbol of oppression and servitude. The point here is, you may not be fighting with your beautiful black woman about head wraps, and perhaps she may even care for herself in many ways that allows her to stand out and present her natural beauty, but maybe she’s been unable to wrap her head around why she continuously battles with low self-esteem, which ultimately does stand in the way of a happier union.

I would also like to add that instead of continuing with pervasive conversations that repeatedly portrays black women as bitter, unloveable, too aggressive, too tough, and ill-tempered, we must challenge these ideas by doing our best to understand why are we so divided and why does it seem so easy to be against our own people. Where did this debilitating training come from? The answer is obvious, in some manner. As black men, we must address the hidden issues we may have with our own mothers as well, which negatively impacts how we choose to treat black women. We must educate ourselves on the long-lasting effects of chattel slavery in the U.S. We must keep an open mind to the reality that hundreds of black women were subjected to invasive experiments in the 1800’s, in other words, the countless of so-called “necessary” medical treatments which were nothing less than violating, deplorable, and dehumanizing. What do we think happened/happens to the hundreds of hundreds of those women’s spirits? In this case, when using the word spirit, I reference their incarnate spirit, their soul, once it has abandoned the physical body. Those women were the ancestors of other women that came later. Perhaps an ancestor to a women you are currently married to or, even an ancestor to your own mother, grandmother, and aunties. These are energies (spirits) that for many reasons are not resting in peace and their spirits have not been elevated. The black community as a whole must still undergo much healing on a mental, emotional, physical, but also on a spiritual level.

HARRIET TUBMAN

Femininity, lovability, sexiness, beautifulness, and emotionality can live in different shapes and sizes, in different tones of voices, on lipstick-free lips, and in assertive, strong-willed, and vocal women.

It is saddening how in this day and age black women can not defend themselves without being referred to as bitter, difficult, and crazy. We have failed to understand the attribution theory coined by Fritz Heider and the difference between internal and external attribution. This venomous and pervasive cycle must come to an end. Black men must stop contributing to the problem with senseless and unfair conversations, and we must start to be part of the solution. Isn’t it hypocritical how we can put down black women and forget we have mothers, sisters, daughters and nieces?? What are we teaching them by participating in conversations that continues to keep black women broken and far from uplifted? Black men (men in general), do not have the right to continuously berate black women under the presumption that black women aren’t feminine enough. Instead we must ask ourselves, “what is feminine and who dictates that?” Main reason being that most of these wild notions and expectations of what femininity is, stems from a patriarchal pool of understanding, and definitely not from a balanced and an informed place of knowledge. It is my belief that the Kevin Samuels of the world are attempting to dictate what a women should be, but are not truly interested in what a women really is, and whom she chooses to be. Femininity, lovability, sexiness, beautifulness, emotionality, should not be reduced to high heels, red lipstick, perfume, soft-tone voices, long hair, and a skirt. Femininity, lovability, sexiness, beautifulness, and emotionality can live in different shapes and sizes, in different tones of voices, on lipstick-free lips, and in assertive, strong-willed, and vocal women. All of it can exist and can be. Had Harriet Tubman allowed her spirit to be molded to what men think and believe a women should be, there would have not been an underground railroad to freedom. Had Serena Williams adopted what patriarchy states is sexy and feminine, she would have not being able to become the best at her craft. Oftentimes, she was left with no choice but to be aggressive and vocal in order to defend herself against the weight of oppression, racism, sexism, and unfair treatment. Women have the right to exist outside of the box of the restrictive, discriminatory ideology, and the one-sided patriarchal mentality has created for her.

SERENA WILLIAMS

Divine Love,

Spiritual Doctor AFI

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LETRA DEL AÑO (LETTER OF THE YEAR). UNDERSTANDING ITS HISTORY.

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Where to begin on this topic of “ La Letra Del Año” (The Letter Of The Year).  For those of you who don’t know, “La Letra Del Año” is an Afro-Cuban terminology used to describe a specific kind of divination performed every year by priests in the tradition of Ifá. In such a divination, a particular Òdu, which means “sign” (there are 256 combination signs), is divined through the oracle of Ifá, and such Òdu becomes the ruling sign for the year. Each of the combination of signs, again, 256 of them, encapsulates an apàtakí (a story. A story of the Òrísha/s), favorable outcomes, negative outcomes, warnings, a number of prescriptions for growth, elevation, healing, harmony, peace, health, and much more. It addresses both personal and social matters, as well as matters of global concern. In each Òdu there are your do’s and your don’ts. And in each Òdu, there’s a specific area of focus in terms of what to look out for in order to not live the negative aspect of the Òdu. All with the intent of being able to live the most balanced life possible. Every Òdu is (can be) very extensive.


Back way then, in Cuba, when none of us reading this right now were even breathing on this Earth, there were literally just a little over a handful of reputable Babaláwos (Priests of Ifá) who would gather together on December 31st of every year to divine for “La Letra Del Año”. The very first person who in Cuba performed the divination for “La Letra Del Año”, was the late Remigio Herrera, better known in history by his Yoruban name Adeshína (crown of fire or the crown the creates fire). He arrived to Cuba as an enslaved African in the year 1830. He was Cuba’s first priest of Ifá, or better stated, the first Ifá priest to arrive to the island.

REMIGIO HERRERA, ADESHÍNA

It is not known exactly in what year the first “Letra Del Año” divination took place in Cuba but it must have been sometime in the mid 1800’s. Adeshína transitions in 1903 or 1905. It is also important to clarify the fact that such divination reading did not start in Cuba. This was a custom that was brought to Cuba by Adeshína and whom along with a handful of his Godchildren, he established and continued this sacred practice in the island. When Adeshína became ill, the elders say that one of his Godchildren by the name of Eulogio Rodriguez, better known as Tata Gaytán, another prominent and reputable Babaláwo, continued the practice of performing the divination for the letter of the year. And upon Adeshína’s passing, it was the great Bernardo Rojas who became Adeshína’s successor, being the he was the one who inherited Adeshína’s religious deities. And therefore, Bernardo Rojas, Tata Gaytán, and others, continued with the tradition. A little background info: Bernardo Rojas was my paternal grandparents Godfather in Ifá. Bernardo Rojas was also present when my mother received what’s called, ikofá at 13 years of age.

Back then, as my late Godparents and my parents have taught me, there wasn’t this proliferation of Babaláwos all over the place. Now there are literally thousands of Babaláwos all over the world and in the most remote of places you can think of. You can practically lift up a rock and find a Babaláwo under it. What happens then and how have things changed, in my opinion and in the opinion of most old-school elders, for the worse and not the better? It is indeed an indisputable fact that obviously life has to change. Things have to evolve. If not, we’d still have a caveman’s mentality. So there’s absolutely nothing wrong with evolution, change, and adaption. BUT, I always say, such evolution, changes, and adaption should remain unadulterated to the essence from which it stems from. This being said, for over one hundred years, “La Letra Del Año” was something performed with intimacy, and respect, behind closed doors and for the Òrísha community within Cuba. As the years would pass, more Babaláwos would become initiated into the practice of Ifá but still within limits. These Babaláwos from different lineages would still get together to perform the sacred divination. All would gather under ONE roof. To this day, my parents (both now having been initiated well over 60 years ago), still remember how it use to be back in their time.

They state that, “La Letra Del Año” was never splattered all over the place nor shoved in people’s faces. The elders in the community would obviously learn of the predictions for the year and they would discuss/share it with other elders within the community and each initiated person/elder would know what of it, to do and or implement, within their ilé (religious house). And that was it!

Fast forward: In the late 1980’s around 1984-86, a prominent and famous Babaláwo in Cuba by the name of Miguel Febeles Padrón who was a Godson of the late Tata Gaytán (Tata was actually what is called, his Ojubona in Ifá), along with another respected Babaláwo by the name of Làzaro Marquetti, was when they founded what is known to be “La Comisión Organizadora de la Letra del Año” (Organizing Commission of the Letter of the Year). From that moment on, it is when “La Letra Del Año” began to embody more of a global approach and also gained global popularity. This also occurs and spreads much more quickly due to two main factors. One being the Mariel Boatlift of 1980 which was a mass emigration of Cubans who left the island. We are talking about an estimated 125,000 plus Cubans left Cuba. And secondly, the fact that by 1980 there were already many initiated Babaláwos in Cuba. Well over 300 and whom a vast majority of these 300 plus Babaláwos, immigrated to America and other countries as well. Another side note: The late Miguel Febles Padrón was one of the active Ifá priests present in the ritualistic ceremony when my late stepfather was initiated into Ifá in the year 1960.

My late stepfather. A beautiful soul.

So what does the above tells us? It tells us that by way of this massive exodus and the great number of Babaláwos that left the impoverished island of Cuba to other parts of the world to be “free”, this also brought along the breaking away of old customs. Not all Babaláwos were bad of course. The vast majority with excellent knowledge but, now away from their homeland, in a foreign place, starting a new life, and with all kinds of liberties at their hands, and little to no elder supervision, new customs and/or new ways of doing things also emerged. We must recognize that this latter statement is inevitable. One thing remains true in the minds and hearts of the old-school elders that still remain breathing on this Earth, and, who’s beliefs I too subscribe to: And that is that, the further away you are from the roots, the riskier and more explorative people become. This means that countless of initiated priests and priestesses that migrated out of Cuba and the tens of thousands of people around the world who are now initiated into these sacred traditions, would not dare to do the things they do in the presence of ancestors like Remigio Herrera, Tata Gaytán, Bernardo Rojas, and the countless of others I can mention.

Even when I was growing up, I always heard, by way of my parents, my direct elders, and the many elders in the community, of ONE letter of the year. Now-a-days, there are literally dozens and dozens all over the place. Sadly, even in Cuba there are several “Letra Del Año” being divined in different regions of the island. There’s the one considered to be the main one, which I mentioned above, the one that comes from the Organizing Commission of the Letter of the Year. It’s considered the main one because even though its founding commission wasn’t until 1986, this is the same house and the same location that has been doing it since the very beginning. It goes down at a house referred to as, La Casona de 10 de Octubre (the Mansion or the large house of the 10th of October). It refers to a huge house that sits on a road named “10 de Octubre”. This was “THE” place, if you know what I mean. Now, we also have ”La Letra Del Año” that comes from La Asociación Cultural Yoruba De Cuba (The Yoruba Cultural Association Of Cuba), and countless of others. Too many!

And before anyone else says it, I  will address the following concern: Many argue stating the follwoing: “…but I don’t live in Cuba. Why would I want to follow “La Letra Del Año” from Cuba when I live in California?”, to which I say this: Anyone that understands the depth of these sacred traditions and maintains the teachings of the ancestors from back in the day would say, Ifá is ONE. Whether you live in Cuba or live in New York City or live in Europe, Ifá is ONE. What this means is, when Ifá (Orisha as well) speaks, their word, what they convey is a firm word that can’t be refuted nor denied. So, with this in mind, it is extremely contradictory, puzzling, and confusing to have one sign come up in Havana Cuba, other signs in other regions of Cuba, another sign come up in New York City, other signs in Miami, other signs in California, and so on. It’s misleading. So that you have a better idea of what I  am attempting to convey here, this is equivalent to going to the doctor for a diagnosis and one doctor in Miami tells you one thing, another doctor in New York tells you something else, and another three doctors in Cuba give you three other diagnosis. Which can you really follow without actually running the risk of dying? You can’t put yourself under five different medical treatments. Your body will collapse. So, understanding this metaphorical example, the same applies to “La Letra Del Año”. How many warnings, advice, concerns, do’s and don’ts can I adhere to, in a healthy and successful kind of way?  For this reason, because now-a-days there are countless of different “Letra DeL Año” out there, many elders have fallen back to just following the advice that personally comes up for them in their personal reading at the beginning of the year.

MUCH NEEDED CLARIFICATION: I’ve been seen incoherent and wrongful information out on these social media streets referencing to there being three Òríshas ruling this year. Whoever says this, knows absolutely nothing!! It’s never been three and it could never be three. No exceptions. It’s always been one main ruling Òrísha and a second accompanying ruling Òrísha. One male and one female or vice versa, one female and one male. In this particular case, the two ruling Òríshas for 2024 as divined by “La Casona De 10 de Octubre” are, Èlégba and Yemayá.  Whichever guiding “Letra Del Año” you want to follow, so be it. But at least be informed. Be informed on the history of things before you go out into the world regurgitating and sharing information you have no authentic knowledge nor experience on. It is also important for me to bring into your awareness the fact that, some people really should not be intaking the information expressed in some of these letter of the year divination readings out there today. Why? Because, if I really have to say this, some of these ilé’s (religious houses) out there today are been led by people who indeed might be initiated and they might be priests and priestesses, but, who are not equipped to guide no one and all they are doing or attempting to do is, guarantee their financial earnings they want to make by way of the so-called ebbó (sacrifice, healing cleanse, offering) they intend to impose on you because, “it came up in the letter of the year”. There’s too much of this going on.

Again, at the risk of sounding redundant, your best course of action would be to have your own personal reading done by a knowledgeable elder in your community. Nothing beats having your own reading performed and receiving specific knowledge, guidance, and wisdom that’s prescribed to you. I will also add that, even if in the “Letra Del Año” is said that the ruling Orishas for this year are Èlégba and Yemayá (Yemojá), if you are called to work with another Òrísha this year, then follow that. For this reason, a personal reading is of most importance. Why? Because each Òdu is governed by a specific Òrísha(s). So once you have YOUR reading, you should be informed of which Òríshas are on your team this year for you and for the win.

And lastly. For the many of you messaging me asking which “Letra Del Año” do I follow? My answer is, I follow, NONE. I always see what it says (it being, the letter of the year as divined by “La Casona De 10 de Octubre), and I look at what they recommend, but I don’t follow none. Those of us who are actually initiated and crowned in the Lukumí system of Òrísha tradition, I follow the recommendations of many old-school elders when they say, the ruling Òríshas are the ones we have crowned on our head and are initiated to. No other. And the prescriptions, warnings, advice, do’s and dont’s for the year, are the ones that come up for me in my personal beginning of the year reading. As an initiated priest/priestess, you have a responsibility to check-in with Òrísha at the beginning of the year. Either by way of a shell divination reading through Èlégba or if your religious house is mainly guided by Ifá, then it is your reading with Ifá at the beginning of the year that will show you the path to follow for the year. Many do and sadly, many don’t. To each their own. 🤷🏾‍♂️ At the end of the day, you have the power to choose what best suits you, but, let there be no mistake. There are many of us still around that knows the real history of these sacred traditions. Please do not allow the “INANET”  in these social media streets confuse you. Seek a reputable elder to guide you in this sacred path. May the Most High, Òlódumare, shower you this year with nothing less than infinite blessings.

Divine Love,

Spiritual Doctor AFI

ÒRÍSHA GODPARENTS, GODCHILDREN & TRAUMA

A GREAT ELDER IN THE SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY WHOM I HAD THE LUXURY OF MEETING WHEN I WAS 18 YEARS OF AGE. HER NAME WAS EVA. SHE WAS AN INSPIRATION AND A GREAT MENTOR AND SPIRITUAL LEADER WITH 70 PLUS YEARS EXPERIENCE IN AFRO-CUBAN SPIRITUAL WORK, MEDIUMSHIP, CLAIRVOYANCE, AND ANCESTRAL HEALING. SHE PASSED AWAY ONE YEAR AGO AT THE AGE OF 93. MAY HER SPIRIT REST IN PEACE.

Let’s touch on a sensitive situation for many in the Òrísha community (whether or not you are initiated/ordained). It is my personal belief the following perspective is definitely not new but it has reached a greater level of danger and abuse at its most pervasive stage in modern day society. Countless of times I have spoken on the fact Òrísha practice (dedication, worship, devotion, tradition) is not necessarily a “religion”, but more so a way of life. In the New World, it is where it began to lose its “way of life” practice to become more of a religion.

There is not a universal consensus view on what religion is. Different walks of life defines religion in a way that allows their belief to stand out and seem unique. Theologians, sociologists and anthropologists have their own way of attempting to understand religion as well. But one thing I have been able to observe throughout my life is, when we use the term religion, it tends to place certain people within a religious practice, at a higher pedestal than others based on various factors. The more you “represent” what such religious practice dictates is acceptable, the “holier” you are found to be (as if almost giving a subtle interpretation of you being “better” than someone else who faces different challenges).

THE POINT OF THIS SHARE: Godparents, your GODCHILD is NOT your SUBORDINATE. Your Godchild is, what I would like to coin as, your EQUAL IN TRAINING. Whether or not they learn enough to become your equal (assuming you as a Godparent know anything at all to begin with), is to be determined by your Godchild’s willingness, effort, desire, commitment, and hunger to learn. There is much to understand here.

If we embrace the previous point, then it leaves room for a Godparent to understand and accept the notion that their Godchild represents them wherever they go and that therefore, it is in the Godparent’s best interest to make sure his/her Godchild has access to all that needs to be learnt. This also leaves us with the understanding that you as a Godparent should not block, prevent, interfere with your Godchild’s learning process, for you would be breaking the unspoken vows you agreed to when accepting to be someone’s Godparent.

ANOTHER GREAT ELDER OF MINE. PRIESTESS OF SHANGÓ. THOUGH SHE WAS NOT BLOOD RELATED TO ME, I CONSIDERED HER TO BE MY AUNT. SHE WAS MY FATHER’S ÒRÍSHA GOD SISTER (THIS MEANS, HER CROWNING GOD PARENT WAS MY FATHER’S CROWNING GOD PARENT AS WELL). I LEARNT SO MUCH FROM HER. MAY HER SPIRIT REST IN PEACE.

SECOND MAJOR POINT: As a spiritual and an ancestral healer, who has been in Òrísha tradition since the day I came into this world, it is my life observation that, as crazy as the following might sound to you, your Godparent’s approach and how they choose to be in relationship with you, is determined by how they were in relationship with their own parent. READ IT AGAIN!

Allow me to elaborate a little. In Afrika, Òrísha devotion as a way of life taught many principles and values that were present from the moment you came out of your mother’s womb. Responsibility, commitment, respect, and dedication. Love and appreciation for family, community, and nature. As well as humility, maintaining a balanced energy/spirit, understanding relationship is a two way street, and you would also learn the meaning of sacrifice. These were some of the basic but most important values you would learn growing up. It was embedded in your spirit who molds your character.

In the New World though, as a result of the transatlantic slave trade, the brainwashing and indoctrination enslaved Afrikans were subjected to, much of this Yoruban/Òrísha way of life, would slowly lose its original essence. The enslaved Afrikans maintained it as best as they could and were allowed to. And whomever had the opportunity to witness it through them, were fortunate and I am sure they (the offsprings and descendants) tried their best to mirror such beautiful teachings. But the truth of the matter is that in the diaspora, such natural way of life would be disrupted by the adaption of the then, colonizers worldview. A worldview of ownership, power and control. Over time, this mind frame would mesh with a “religious” way of life, killing what Òrísha practice should really be.

Òrísha tradition as it is seen today, seems more like a quid pro quo and/or a transactional relationship, when in reality Òrísha devotion, tradition, is NOT transactional. It is not a quid pro quo practice. As my Soul Sister Dr. Nzinga says: “Two people or entitities in transaction do not have the same purpose... Two entities in cooperation, DO”. This means that cooperation and transaction are NOT the same thing.

But because many people today sadly lack a sense of identity, and feel like becoming a Godparent will empower them in a way they lacked pre-crowning/pre-priesthood, it is ignored the fact that they also bring along with them lots of their unresolved and unhealed parts of them. This leaves room for mental/psychological abuse, emotional abuse, spiritual abuse, and crazily enough, even physical abuse. Your Godchild is NOT your property (no one is).

If you lacked attention from your parents, this doesn’t give you the power to become a Godparent that always require attention from your Godchildren. If you grew up in an environment where gossip (chisme) was the main course served, this does not give you the right to gossip and share your Godchild’s private life with other Godchildren or other people in the Òrísha community. If anger and lack of emotional control was a norm for you, this does not give you the green light to lash out on your Godchild. And it definitely does not give you a pass on putting your hands on them nor calling them out of their name. If you grew up in an environment where the main value was money and possessions, it is spiritually unethical to reject assisting those who are in true need and may not have the means. If you grew up in an environment where procrastination was the order of the day, you do not have the right to procrastinate on your Godchild’s healing path. At the end of the day, you did to order their healing. Òrísha did!

If you grew up feeling invisible, this doesn’t give you an excuse to want to be the center of attention in your so-called “religious” house nor the right to ignore your Godchild when he/she is in true need. If you grew up in an environment where sexual behavior was loose, this doesn’t grant you access to your Godchild’s private parts. I can go on and on and on. Bottom line is, heal your MF self before wanting to become someone’s Godparent all for the sake of power, ego, and control. When I say heal yourself, this does not mean you have to be perfect. But it does mean you have to work through the things that when left unresolved, unattended, and un-healed, will further traumatize the individual that is suppose to find a safe haven under your care and guidance.

Though each and every one of us has some form of experience that falls under the category of trauma (whether we are consciously aware of it or not), and though none of us, regardless of where we come from and who we are, are perfect, I never experienced any form of abuse from the elders I grew up around in Òrísha tradition (and they were many). Again, were they perfect? Definitely not. Was I able to observe many imperfections? Most definitely. Could I even identify some of their own personal traumas? YES! But….. I was never subjected to disrespect, humiliation, nor abuse by them. And for this I am eternally grateful. This level of gratefulness brings tears of joy to my eyes.

Godfather/Godmother, know what your true role is in Òrísha practice. And if you are aware you are not equipped to be the Godfather/Godmother the person knocking on your door needs, at least respect yourself by not disrespecting Òrísha. Even when your heart is in the right place, it is ok to say, I am not ready to be a Godparent. We have as much religious orphans in Òrísha practice as their are biological orphans in the world (if not more). This madness MUST stop! Modupé!! Ashéoooo….

If you can relate and understand this share, don’t forget to click the heart and leave a comment. Share your story and experience with me.

Divine Love,

Spiritual Doctor AFI

ARE YOU SILENCING YOUR SPIRITUAL EYE? IN DOING SO, WHAT ELSE IS BEING SILENCED IN YOUR LIFE?

ARE YOU SILENCING YOUR SPIRITUAL EYE? IN DOING SO, WHAT ELSE IS BEING SILENCED IN YOUR LIFE?

This profound question came to me from Spirit in the middle of the night. The truth of the matter is, many people (some unknowingly and many more “knowingly”), are silencing their Third Eye every day. The reasons behind this action are countless. It can come from fear of not knowing what to do with a natural God-given gift, to, simply not wanting to deal with both the responsibility and the exposure honing your spiritual gifts comes with. The problem with this is that, whether or not you are afraid of your own spiritual gifts or you have bad memories associated with such an ability, or you feel too empathic to accept such a gift, catch this: Spirit says, “It Ain’t Going Anywhere”! It’s yours.

But, my Soul Family, can I go a little deeper with you on this very important subject Spirit prompted me to share with you today on this beautiful Monday? Too many of us forget that upon our arrival onto this place we call Earth, we already arrived with a destiny to develop and fulfill. But most importantly, listen to this carefully: we possess an incarnate spirit. Such incarnate spirit can be hundreds of hundreds years old or even thousands of thousands years old. Possessing an incarnate spirit that moves this body also means this incarnate spirit comes from another time period with his/her own unique gifts and abilities that also makes you unique in this lifetime.

As far as the teachings of Espiritismo (Spiritism) is concerned, we have all reincarnated. This means our incarnate spirit has been here before. In every case, this also speaks to the fact that something (something meaning behaviors, characteristics, experiences, strengths, weaknesses, fears, and also gifts or spiritual gifts if you will) will always trickle in onto this lifetime. We don’t necessarily start from scratch completely. We simply have a new opportunity to do it better than we did before (this is a whole other topic to elaborate on later). But for the purposes of this share this morning, when speaking about those of us that have a spiritual gift (you can possess more than one) that falls under “Clair” senses, we must understand this ability has been brought to us by our incarnate spirit. This means my Soul Family, though you have done your best at shutting it down, ignoring it, hiding it, suppressing it, trying to get rid of it, rejecting it, slowing it down and so on, bottom line is YOU CAN’T GET RID OF IT (no, I’m not screaming at you. I just need this latter statement drilled into your brain lol!).

Some of you might even argue that many years ago you decided to “shut down” your spiritual gift(s) and you’ve been fine. But have you really? Spiritual food for thought: And how would you know how “fine” you’ve been if all it could be hasn’t been?  I’ve met many people throughout my life who have gone all out of their way to kill their spiritual gift(s) and feel they are “okay” until they eventually find out they are not “okay”. You see, it works something like this: When you suppress, ignore, hide, or shut down a part of you that’s natural (keyword here is natural), you are also doing the same to your incarnate spirit. As a result of this action, you are disconnecting part of yourself from yourself! In doing so, you are delaying, redirecting, or self-cursing (or all of the above) your path and journey. Main reason being, your incarnate spirit needs (in all the sense of the word) you to accept, embrace, hone, protect, and step into your gift(s) so that both of your paths can go on and evolve (emphasis on evolve). Yes, you have a path to follow and so does your incarnate spirit. It’s codependent on each other. It’s a symbiotic relationship (which often doesn’t feel comfortable nor is it smooth. Hence, the importance of Ancestral Healing). It is also believed that our incarnate spirit is oftentimes a distant Ancestor (not your late grandmother nor great great grandfather, but a very distant Ancestor).

So the real question you should ask yourself this week and try to work on is: How has my decision to shut down my Spiritual Eye affecting me in other areas of my life such as: my love life, my finances, my platonic relationships, my professional environment, my relationship with family, my place in my community, and even my physical and mental health. Learn this: you can’t simply shut down a part of you and not expect for it to have an effect in a different area of your life.

There are so many different ways you can accept, embrace and honor your Spiritual Eye (spiritual gift/s) without you necessarily having to be the next Instagram Witch or Warlock. Your homework is to learn how to breathe LIFE into something that’s naturally part of you, so that in turn, it can also breathe LIFE into you and all areas of your life.

So which “Clair” senses have you ignored, suppressed, hidden, and/or shut down? Is it your Clairvoyance? Your ability to clearly see past, present, and future. A clear sense of vision. Is it your Clairalience? Your ability to receive information via smell. Is it your Clairaudience? Your clear sense of hearing information via your ears. Is it your Clairgustance? Receiving information via your spiritual taste buds and detecting information orally. Is it your Claircognizance? Your ability to know something you couldn’t possibly know of or about. Referred to as clear knowing. Or is it your Clairsentience? A clear sense of feeling. Receiving spiritual downloads via your body. Or perhaps it is your Clairtangency which is Information and downloads you receive by way of touch, via your hands. Which one of these abilities are you naturally gifted in but have chosen to look the opposite way?

Perhaps, after some real deep soul searching, you come to the conclusion that your Spiritual Eye, your Third Eye or as it’s also referred to as, your Minds Eye and your Inner Eye, is ready to align you with your Divine Purpose. Perhaps an ancient Ancestor has come to visit you in this lifetime and most importantly partner-up with you as your incarnate spirit, bringing along with him/her an ancient wisdom. An ancient power and ability it’s depending on you to polish and do great works with in this, your lifetime. Your Spiritual Eye, your Third Eye when activated and in good use, can make the difference between you living a purposeful life that’s peaceful as well as abundant versus when it’s shut down, blocked, and ignored causing you to live a life of distress, chaos, uncertainty, constant confusion, and even finding yourself in harms way. Have you stop to consider the possibility (to me it’s actually a fact) that when you choose to not accept and embrace your spiritual abilities you are also hindering how God (the God of your understanding) is able to communicate with you? You see, God speaks to us through our senses, our gut feeling, and also speaks to us through the spirit of discernment. But when the conduits that keeps these channels open are turned off, ignored, and denied, it makes it very difficult (if not impossible) for God, Spirit, Mother Earth, the Ancestors to warn us of what we need to know. It makes it difficult for us to make better decisions and not be governed by lower energies and vibrations that feast at our disconnect with the voice of the Creator. I  can’t help but to wonder, how many times have you said: “I  don’t want this gift”, or “I  don’t want to know”. Well, perhaps this is the reason why you also don’t know other things that are important to you. You can’t pick and choose where you want the spirit of knowledge and wisdom to show up for you. Your Third Eye is directly linked to ones awareness, intuition, ability to focus, and ones connection to Mother Earth. It is connected to our Inner Knowing as it is called. Such Inner Knowing is also connected to God when our senses are activated and nurtured. It is into our Inner Knowing where God speaks into. How many of you constantly asks yourself, “Why don’t I  ever hear God speak to me? Why don’t my ancestors speak to me?” Wrong. It is not that they don’t speak to you. It just happens to be that the connections are crossed, blocked and/or there’s major interference making it impossible for you to listen and tap in.

Find ways in which you can activate your spiritual gift(s), your Third Eye. It can be by way of spiritual (water) cleanses, herbs, teas, and even through music, songs, chants. At a more intense level though, oftentimes, when you have been called to honor your spiritual gift(s) at a higher degree, there will be a need for some form of training, initiation, rites of passage, mentorship, and specific guidance. In Afro-Cuban spiritual and religious practices, this is determined by spiritual readings, consultations, and/or some form of divinatory practice. Whichever the case may be, you must not continue to stop/block the flow. It is affecting you in a negative way and its’ effects may not always be visible early on. It can sometimes take years before you realize how the denial of such a gift(s) has altered the quality of your life and has distance you from where you were always suppose to be. Could it be possible you are shutting down your spiritual gift(s), your senses, the same way some of your deceased loved ones shut them down, and in turn, they were never able to live a true fulfilled life and died wanting/needing/deserving more, but never got there; and you are on the same route? Allow the change to take place NOW!

DIVINE LOVE,

SPIRUTAL DOCTOR AFI

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR THE YEARLY ANCESTRAL VENERATION HEALING CEREMONY.  DON’T MISS OUT. CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO JOIN.

THE POWER TO MOVE

THE POWER TO MOVE

Happy New Year Soul Family!!! It is my deepst prayer this year is moving smoothly for you thus far. As we continue to navigate through the second week of this 2022 year, Spirit brought something to me in prayer today that I now want to share with you. It is easy to jump from one year to the next and find yourself not accomplishing much. The reasons why, are endless for many individuals, but, at the end of the day it is reduced to just, "life gets in the way". But when we look into what "life" really means, for some people it is referring to lack of resources and to others it means issues with family. But whether your reason for "life" getting in the way means you feel challenged in your romantic relationship, you are experiencing health related issues, or feel stuck in a job that will not promote you, the key is in tapping into what Spirit refers to as, "The Power To Move". 

​Life's trials and tribulations have a way of paralyzing you. When you are hit with unexpected changes that can not be resolved overnight, if you are not cautious and aware, it starts to eat up at you by slowly taking your strength away. In other other words, you lack "motivation". Motivation is much more powerful than we even stop to realize. This morning, Spirit spoke to me the words, "The Power To Move". I had to sit with this for a minute. Upon concluding my prayer, I realized that because we tend to lack motivation when "life" seems to not be moving in the desired direction, we freeze. Our life falls into a set of mundane actions that makes it difficult to plan, focus, execute and simply, get shit done. So when the new year comes around, you make a physical or mental list of resolutions that fails to survive past the second month of the new year. Why? Because your motivation gets interrupted or re-contaminated. 

​The Power To Move, means that regardless of what turbulent waters we are navigating through, we must still keep our higher enegery "moving". It is such higher energy that leads us out of chaos, opens new doors, and redirects our journey into more promising experiences. Interestinly enough, the word motivation is defined as, "that which moves one toward an action". Therefore, unless we "move"; move our mind, our thoughts, our desires, we will continuously lack the action necessary to succeed, thus, keeping us stuck, uninspired and on a continuous hamsters wheel. The Power To Move means that you must move (in other words: place), yourself into spaces and interact with people whose vibration moves on high frequency. This includes your own thoughts. How are your thoughts moving in your mind? Are they paralyzed replaying the issues at hand over and over again in your head? Or are you moving your thoughts from a negative and rigid place into proactive motion. Only you have the power to shift the energy within. GET MOVING!!! GET MOVING!!! GET MOVING!!!

​EVENTS

I hope the above download offered the "motivation" you need to get things moving in your life. But lets also be realistic here, most of everything that is challenging in life, is easier said than done. Especially, when we lack the guidance and have no point of reference. For this reason, I do not want you to miss out on the upcoming event.

Since December, I’ve been downloading much information and guidance for this year, so, join us on the 21st of January at 5:00 pm (PST), for Spirit’s 2022 Outlook. I will share with you what I’ve been receiving but we will also pull cards and check in with Spirit clairvoyantly regarding the vibration of this year. 

​The areas of life we will be diving in on, are:

-Health & Wellness

-Work & Business

-Finances 

-Family Affairs 

-Romance & Love 

-Platonic Relationships

-Political Affairs 

-Spirituality and more 

​There will be spiritual recommendations on things to do to navigate through this year. Afterwards, if there’s time, I will open up for Q&A. If you can not attend live, the replay will be made available. It is recommended you do not wear black nor dark colors. Other instructions will be sent out upon signing up. 

To sign up, send your love donation of $44 via Zelle or Venmo. If you do not have Zelle or Venmo, email me for other arrangements. Once you have signed up, you must email me to info@spiritualdoctorafi.com with your full name, telephone number and proof of payment, in order to receive the link to the event. 

Zelle: info@spiritualdoctorafi.com

Venmo: @spiritualdoctor-afi 

Spirit says: “There’s much to say. There’s much to know. And there’s much to do.” Nsala Malekum. See you soon. 

​Divine Love, 

Spiritual Doctor AFI

SPIRIT OF ASHE LLC

What Role Will Scorpio Season Play This Year In Your Life?

What Role Will Scorpio Season Play This Year In Your Life?

October 21, 2021 — 9:44 PM

My Soul Family, as Libra season gets ready to come to its’ conclusion and we gear up to welcome the powerful vibration of Scorpius, I wanted to reach out and share a few spiritual thoughts for you to consider. 

Transformation and regeneration, is at the foundation of Scorpio season, as it is ruled by planet Pluto. This will be a great time period to intensely begin shifting, releasing, and purging the unwanted, what’s not needed, and the unnecessary. But more than the common familiar lingo which always sounds great but is often hard to put into practice, I would invite you to start by listing down the areas of your life you truthfully feel blocked in. This part is not difficult to do. For the most part, we all know which area of our life feels stagnant and have shown little to no progress over the years. After you have been honest with yourself about the latter, we can then begin to dissect each area by first asking yourself, “who or what has contributed to this state of inactivity in this particular section or my life”? Every thought and every behavior has an origin. Such origin is either a person, a place, a thing or all of the above. Scorpio season is about digging deep below the surface to understand the ‘why” behind  many things. 

Our beliefs have been molded by the people involved in our upbringing. From parents, other family members and teachers to ones community, cultural experiences, and traumatic events. And to the same degree of severity, we are also greatly influenced by the emotional, mental, spiritual, energetic and physical baggage left behind by many of our deceased loved ones and ancestors. We have a responsibility to ourselves, to investigate our own thoughts, beliefs and behaviors to see if we have been thinking, believing and acting in ways that do not support our highest self. What might have worked for mom and dad may not work for you in this current day and age. What grandmother chose to deal with, does not have to be what you accept for yourself. You also do not have to continue carrying the curses or unfinished business of your late aunt. Ignoring the burdens that comes with generational baggage, leaves you like the Seven Of Cups in Tarot, feeling in the dark, uncertain and confused. 

Another observation I would like for you to explore during the upcoming Scorpion season is, your relationship with sex, sensuality and intimacy. I am not speaking in terms of having wild sex out there and becoming carelessly risky. At a deeper level, what Spirit brings to our attention during this upcoming Scorpion season, is an invitation to explore all of your greatness. When we hear the word intimacy, we automatically think about physical sex. The act of sexual intercourse. But in reality, intimacy is much more than that. Many people have sex, but few are intimate. And countless have never developed an intimate relationship with themselves, thus, interfering with how they connect with intimate partners and other people at a deeper level. Take a step forward into breaking free from the monotony that keeps things safe but lacks excitement and joy. This year’s Scorpius energy wants you to spice things up a little in your relationship dynamic with your partner but also exploring where you stand with other individuals in your life. On the other hand, if you’re not even sure where things are going nor what you want out of a particular situation, do not start something that can potentially become a constant headache for you. 

Lastly, Scorpio season will be great for you to challenge yourself in learning something new. Perhaps you may want to pick up that book you’ve been putting off for a while now. Sign-up for a herbalism course or get things ready to enroll back in school. It is time to learn. There are innate talents waiting for you to give it the power it needs to flourish through you. So, if you’ve been second-guessing yourself about that craft you want to start learning about or perfect, the debate stops today. The Universe is saying GO FOR IT! A delay on your part is a delay in your blessings. This being said, I will also add that Spirit wants you to step-up in embracing your spiritual abilities. For some of you, is a matter if getting back on track with what you abandoned a long time ago. For others, it will be about picking up where your deceased loved one left off. You have an inherited spiritual gift which must be nurtured. The unnurturing behavior you give to your spiritual gifts, is precisely what could be blocking you from being prosperous. The continued resistance will not yield the results your life needs. This also applies to those of you who are not necessarily rejecting such talents, but who are afraid to embrace them because you do not trust yourself. Well, Trust God. Trust Spirit. Trust the Ancestors of Wisdom. They will not steer you in the wrong direction. 

Overall, Scorpio season will have many questioning where they stand and will provoke you to dig deeper to find the answers you need. You will be motivated to ask the right person or people for what you need. This calls for making healthy connections with individuals who are valuable to your calling and purpose. Accepting what was already accepted with no visible results won’t work anymore. 

Are you ready to embrace this magickal season?

THE BRAIN, OUR DNA AND LOVE

LOVE BELONGS TO YOU

Who doesn’t know love has an effect on the body? I think in some kind of way, we are all aware that the energy in ones body changes when experiencing love. You and I don’t have to be a scientist nor a doctor to feel the excitement that flows through the body and how our brain goes into daydreaming mode while under the influence of love. But guess what; this doesn’t have to be exclusive to romantic love. 

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I know for many, the whole idea of romance and one’s “Valentine”, is either overrated or it’s simply nonexistent. But who said the practice of self-love has to be only in the company of someone else? Though falling in-love with your ideal partner sounds exciting, I propose you experience the same exhilarating and euphoric feeling with yourself first, so that you can become that love magnetic which attracts the kind of love you desire in your life; whether it’s romantic or platonic. 

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When falling in-love, the body experiences a rush of hormones it delivers to the brain. One of which is, oxytocin. Referred to as the “love hormone,” oxytocin is present in childbirth. This hormone is also said to be linked to empathy and bonding. Studies also show how the brains opioid system is activated when experiencing love (specifically, romantic love). It’s this particular system that helps us choose our potential partner. 

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From a spiritual perspective though, much of our negative karmic, generational and past experiences can affect ones brain to such a degree where hormones such as oxytocin, estrogen, serotonin, testosterone, dopamine among others and our opioid system, can be thrown off balance. Thus causing much distress and suffering in ones love life. 

When you come to think about it, there are times when perhaps you have caught yourself questioning the Universe as to, why is it you seem to have so much bad luck in the love department, when you strongly believe to have checked-off all the warning signs on your checklist. If this is you, trust me when I say you’re not the only one that feels this way. I have clients who seriously believe they are a walking reporting center for “bad-luck love” and “failed-relationships”. But I assure you, this is not entirely the whole case. There are many contributing factors as to why your romantic love life seems to always be crashing and why those you care for and love (friends and sometimes even family) end up betraying you. Aside from the influence of your nuclear or elementary family, which obviously has a major impact on how you connect and bond with others, you also carry with you a history in your DNA, of known and untold stories. Such stories and personal experiences of your ancestors and deceased loved ones, can have an impact on how you choose to connect, bond, accept and embrace a potential romantic partner, friends and how you interact with family members. But equally as important, it also determines how you choose to love and be in relationship with yourself. For this reason, at times you need guidance and assistance in getting to the bottom of what could be plaguing your heart with so much pain and blocking you from manifesting love, healthy friendships and a better connection with your family. And above all, with yourself. 

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Take this time to ask questions about yourself that will assist you in better comprehending who you are. Perhaps, journaling the thoughts that come through can march you forward into embracing a better version of you. Such thoughts, messages or downloads, can come from the Universe, your spirit guides, guardian angels or the Divine Source of your understanding. But overall, you have a responsibility to yourself to not settle for current debilitating circumstances that keep you lacking joy, happiness, excitement and most importantly, Love. 

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You may not have been able to set a table for two this past Valentine’s Sunday, but you sure can always create the ambience for yourself. Set the right tone for you that will promote self-love, compassion, peace and “Jouissance” (French for enjoyment). Something as simple as cooking up your favorite food, putting on the music that excites your inner-spirit or spending some peaceful quality time with yourself, might be exactly what you need. But, whatever you do, NEVER stop loving on yourself!

I also invite you to take a look at the upcoming Love Healing Ritual. It is specifically designed by Spirit for all matters of the heart. If you’re lacking self-love, romance and healthy relationships in your life or, you’re needing to strengthen yo…

I also invite you to take a look at the upcoming Love Healing Ritual. It is specifically designed by Spirit for all matters of the heart. If you’re lacking self-love, romance and healthy relationships in your life or, you’re needing to strengthen your current bonds with your significant other, friends and family, then this healing ritual is for you. It is intended to support you at the root and cellular level by reprogramming your spiritual and physical body, thus allowing you to break free from what’s been running you off in the wrong direction. There comes a point in our life when we have to accept we have done all we know how to do and nothing seems to be working. This is your opportunity to do something differently for yourself in hopes you get to experience a version of you that’s completely unknown and waiting to burst. The time has come for you to say “YES” to “YOU”. The Love Healing Ritual, is your loud and much needed YESSS….

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  • Last day to sign-up is on February 20th, 2021

  • Love donation is $222 for solo

  • For couples is $375

  • Payment plans available

  • Email me at info@spiritualdoctorafi.com for more information
    ​

Divine Love, 

Spiritual Doctor AFI

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YEMAYÁ AND ÒSHÚN'S TAKE ON BREASTFEEDING

Beautiful mothers, mothers-to-be and women who plan on someday having a child; I woke up today embraced by the loving energy of Goddesses Yemayá and Òshún asking me to share their plea in calling back women to breastfeed, and also asking women to become aware of the deep and negative spiritual ramifications that comes from being, uninformed about the power of breastfeeding. 

A child’s makeup such as its growth, psychological responses, and much more is not only taking place through DNA via the hormones that crosses the placenta. For if you didn’t know, breastmilk also contains hormones. Hormones that design the child’s character, love language, their brain’s functionality and countless of other characteristics. These profound influential hormones shapes a child both, inside the womb and while being breastfed. 

In today’s modern society, the use of baby bottles and baby formula is quite normal and little by little, women are being influenced by food industries and its’ propagandas to believe that it’s much better and more socially acceptable to use baby bottles and the vast array of baby formulas out there, than to breastfeed. Yemayá and Òshún though, reminds us of the broken bonds that occurs between mother and child when she opts not to nurse her baby. When a woman holds her child to her bosom, the resting place of emotions and intimate sensitive feelings, and breastfeeds her baby, her most passionate love is conveyed to her newborn. The dependent baby starts to learn what protection is long before it can even learn how to utter his or her first words. 

Today’s demanding lifestyles and professional obligations, brings a sense of spiritual death to the bond between the mother and her baby when forced to go back to work and having to get back to the survival rollercoaster ride of life. In many homes where marriage is still present, mothers find themselves separating from her newborn child as early as two months after birth. Let’s not even speak about how much harder it is for single mothers and those who fall under the low-income spectrum. That disconnect that occurs when a child is separated from its mother at such a fragile early stage, is detrimental to his/her spiritual, psychological, mental, and emotional frame. As a spiritual healer, to me, this is trauma. A level of trauma that can last a lifetime, and that subsequently, as other female daughters are born and they too grow and have children of their own, the broken cycle continues as life pressures and demands increases; …thus, giving way for the continuation of such trauma to go on for decades. 

Furthermore, Yemayá and Òshún also brings to our attention an equally important matter to be addressed by mothers who still do nurse their child; and that is, being aware of her own spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental state of mind as she breastfeeds. When breastfeeding your baby, it is imperative to keep in mind that this is not just the action of nourishing your child. It is also a spiritual and divine sustenance of love itself that is taking place. But what’s suppose to be the feeding of love, can turn into a deposit of negative emotions when doing so under duress, in a state of anger, depression, heightened levels of anxiety, low self-esteem and so on. It is even advised to be conscious of your environment when breastfeeding. This can mean, being alert to the kind of music you’re listening to, the level of stress you’re feeling, and the negative thoughts and emotions that are flowing through you when nursing your child. Whatever a nursing mother feeds into her mind, body and spirit, is being energetically deposited into her milk. Whatever you influence your milk with, will be fed to your baby. 

Remember, when you breastfeed your precious child, it’s done at the seat of your heart chakra or Anahata in its original Sanskrit name. This fourth energy center, sings lyrics of love, compassion, beauty and  balance. Let’s make sure, to the best of ones human abilities that, the energy being transmitted to the baby, is that of pure and clean love that helps promote emotional growth, an unbroken sense of protection, and the rhythmic harmony of divine power. In other words, my Spiritual Warriors, when you breastfeed your baby, I want you to let him or her know how much of a king and queen he/she is. Nurse your child with divine love, and most importantly, regardless of what the professionals might say, Yemayá and Oshún says, to breastfeed your baby for as long as you can or for as long as you and your child wishes to do so. The loving mothers Yemayá and Òshún wants to remind women how important this stage of a child’s life is and that no matter how much you can spoil them in years to come, it can never substitute the loving nurturing and unbreakable bond that needs to take place during those fragile years of a child’s early life. The divine Òrísha Mothers wants to bring to your awareness how status, money, power, fancy looking homes, your physical beauty, competition, your quest for recognition and other material things of life, will never make up for the traumatic experience of separating from your newborn too soon and can never take the place of the love language that needs to be experienced during breastfeeding.

With Divine Love, 

Spiritual Doctor AFI


The love and blessing are in the breasts.

The love and blessing are in the breasts.

LIBRA SEASON AND THE ÒRÍSHAS

Welcome to Libra season my beloved Spiritual Warriors. The time has come to balance your life as we now embrace the fall equinox. Hopefully, Virgo season furnished you with the necessary tools for you to now balance it all out. While Virgo cycle was the, getting down to business period, Libra now stands before you and asks: “now what are you going to do with all this information you acquired last season?”

This month of September celebrates on the 24th, the Òrísha Òbátalá, the God of white cloth, elected by the Creator to be the sculptor of human bodies, owner of our heads, and the truest representation of humility. This benevolent and androgynous West-African deity who possess both male and female characteristics, teaches us all there is to know about compassion.  Lukùmí elders always refer to Òbátalá as “paz, humildad, y paciencia” (peace, humility, and patience). Because Òbátalá, with the Creators’ permission and blessing, sculpted the human body and gave us our head, He is also the Great Judge. The seeker of truth and weigher of options. All in the name of justice. For this reason, it’s no surprise to me Òbátalá’s feast day falls on Libra’s side of the fence. 

Libra is all about balance and peace; areas over which Òbátalá governs. For the next four weeks, don’t be surprised if you find yourself needing, in search of, and/or requiring balance, from the places you attend, to the people you interact with. Òbátalá invites you to embrace the capacity to change, by first asking yourself the following questions: “Is this (person/place/thing), healthy for me?” “Does it make me want to become a better person?” “Is this (person/place/thing), loving to me? And if the answer to any of these questions is no, then first and foremost, Òbátalá reminds you to show compassion for yourself by making choices that demonstrates just that, compassion.

Being that Venus is the natural ruler of Libra, this is the time to allow yourself to experience self-love, harmony, and peace, while also focusing on partnerships, networking, and sociability. Your business is waiting for you to make new connections so that it may continue to grow (or start growing). So therefore, being rigid in your lack of flexibility and staying isolated is not going to be beneficial for you in Libra’s world. Libra is about creativity, self-love, and venturing out. This does not necessarily mean your life should be just about partying, for not all of us are party-animals, but, it is advised you give yourself the opportunity to have more fun. During this season, your level of communication will play a major role in how you grow. As my grandmother use to say, “boca cerrada no come”, (shut mouths don’t get fed). So metaphorically speaking, if you don’t get out there and connect with people, your business venture won’t get fed. Your heart won’t get fed. Your creative ideas won’t be nourished either. Being that Libra is a cardinal sign, which simply means, the presence of a turning point in temperate seasons, venturing out will bring about the changes your life needs. For some of you might be hard changes but nonetheless, necessary for growth. The crux of the matter is that your turning point will be brought upon by balance. Doing too much in just one area is not going to yield the advancement you desire and deserve.

During this Libra season, the God of white cloth Òbátalá proposes you revisit your ideas, thoughts, and recently-made decisions. In order to be fair, just, and bring about balance, don’t be surprised if you find yourself reconsidering what you had already signed off on. Just as the Justice card suggests (card associated with Libra), this is a time to do things a little differently than you used to. You must approach love relationships with honesty, respect, and transparency. In your professional life, if you are the kind of individual who tends to make rapid and impulsive decisions then this time around, you should take some time to reflect, reconsider, weigh your options, and then proceed. If your tendency is that of going around in circles and taking an unnecessary long time to decide on important matters, then perhaps this time around you should honor your gut feeling more often and go with your first decision. This is part of what balance is all about. Be ready to take responsibility for your actions, be fair, and act in alignment with your higher self. This means, it’s ok to make mistakes and/or to have made them in the past. The time to correct/address past mistakes has come and the time to reconsider current decisions has also arrived, so that you can avoid future blunders and mishaps to the best of your human abilities. This is compassion.

You can honor Òbátalá the remainder of this month by wearing and/or using the colors white and silver. Mountain tops and hills are the locations consider to be His home. Meditating/praying at these sites will keep you close to His energy, elevated, and uplifted. As for accessories and stones, He’s associated with quartz crystal, ivory, bone, howlite, and chalcedony. White doves are very symbolic of Òbátalá, as elders back in the day considers them to be the messenger of Òlófin (God). Wearing a silver dove pendant represents the energy of Òbátalá as well. Sundays, a great day for prayer/meditation ands attending to your spiritual altars, is Òbátalá’s day of the week.

My Spiritual Warriors, allow this Libra season and Òbátalá’s energy to shake off of you dead weight that keeps you off balance. Be flexible, allow for new beginnings, and breathe-in deeply the air of change.

With Divine Love,

Spiritual Doctor AFI

IF THIS BIRTHED YOU AND I, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

IF THIS BIRTHED YOU AND I, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

VIRGO SEASON AND THE ÒRÍSHAS

The Mother of Waters Yemayá fuels you with strength.

The Mother of Waters Yemayá fuels you with strength.

In the month of September, we celebrate three very important Òríshas; Yemayá, Òshún, and Òbátalá. Òríshas are considered to be the extensions of the Creator in the eyes of the Yoruba. One of the various practices of the Yoruba is venerating ancestors and the forces of nature. We honor those that came before us. As well as, the sacred earth and energy that holds our bones after we’ve transited to spirit. History has shown us that the vast majority of earth-based religions and their folk-wisdom, have been influenced by astronomy. From the study of the universe its positions, motions, and properties of celestial objects – we have the gift of astrology. Astrology explains how the positions, transits, and properties of the planets, affect people, energy and events. The magic starts in the heavens. Through the forces of nature - The Yoruba’s acknowledge, show honor and reverence to Òlódumare (The Creator/God). We can find the presence of the Òríshas in the strong and powerful elements of earth, wind, fire, and water. These natural elements also are in alignment with astrological zodiac signs and seasons. To venerate the Òríshas is to acknowledge the energies of the sacred earth, the cosmos and celestial bodies, for they are intricately intertwined.

On September 8th, we celebrate the great maternal energy of Yemayá/Yemojá, mother of waters and Goddess of the oceans. Yemaya is the Òrísha who is nurturing in nature, protective and considered to be the Mother of All.

The Òrísha Òshún, is observed on September 12th. She is the Yoruba Goddess of love, fertility and luxury. She governs rivers and fresh water. As the mother of abundance, she relishes in refinement. Òshún possesses characteristics of seducing and charming everything she desires with the sweetness of honey and charisma she possesses – and this makes her an exceptional witch.

During this Virgo season, I invite you to dive deep into the energy of the Goddess of love, Òshún. Reevaluate where your heart is and whether or not you’re receiving the love, care, attention, and value you deserve. This also means you will have to reexamine if you are giving the same to others and not being selfish. On the same level, this is not just exclusive to what you are receiving from someone else, as you must also review if you are giving the same to yourself. Òshún is very radical when it comes to love - and self-love is first the best love. When she’s made up her mind about something, there’s no convincing her otherwise. She urges us to make up our mind to treat ourselves kindly, with love, and respect. Òshún suggests you prioritize the people and places that will be healthy for all areas of your life. The river cleanses and renews us, feeds and nurtures us in practical ways. As the Goddess of the rivers, Òshún is steadily consistent and focused on moving forward. Just as the currents of her waters, she never go backwards. This means, there’s no room for making excuses and second-guessing yourself. Time to release and let go of whatever/whomever has been holding you back and blocking your blessings. If you are the only block, then Òshún invites you to get out of your own head. The time has come for you to think of yourself abundantly, so that you may manifest abundance. Terminate your poverty mentality, to really step into everything you are and can become. By merging with the energy of Òshún you can become organized, detailed oriented, and steady, as Òshún’s energy is.

You can honor Òshún’s energy this month by wearing and/or using her colors which are all tones of yellow, gold, amber, and coral. She loves scents such as sandalwood, vetiver, and orange. You can burn incense or use essential oils made of these scents. As for accessories and stones, she’s associated with fans, mirrors, amber, coral, and brass. The sunflower is her flower of choice and number 5 belongs to her. You may also put up yellow roses around the house and yellow scented candles. Honey is truly representative of the energy of Òshún as well. If possible in your city, you might want to visit a river to meditate/pray in its presence as that is where the Goddess of love Òshún’s energy resides.

For my ocean lovers and those with high nurturing tendencies, during this Virgo season, Yemayá invites you to nurture yourself. Yemayá is a very strong-willed Òrísha. She always knows what she wants, but just as the waves can change, her energy can be both serene and very violent at times. For this matter, Yemayá wants you to invite change into your life that steers you toward your ultimate purpose. This season can show you that not all things are black and white and that at times you should be flexible in order to step into the fullness of your destiny. Yemayá is a great Òrísha to go to for issues having to do with motherhood, family concerns, and healing. This season invites you to bring healing to past traumas in your life affecting the present. This will be a good time to release resentment and do away with negative patterns of thought. Yemayá is symbolic of expansion, therefore her energy wants you to not limit yourself to less when there’s so much more for you out there.

Honoring Yemayá can be done with all tones of the color blue. Whether you wear or invite this color into your home, Yemayá’s presence will be felt in a very nurturing way but will also give you the strength you need to make difficult decisions. Lighting a blue candle is a great way to make space for her energy in your life. Her number is 7 and some of the gemstones associated with Yemayá are pearls, mother of pearl, silver, blue topaz, and aquamarine.

Though the great Òrísha Òbátalá is also celebrated in September, this strong energy will be spoken about in the next newsletter since its feast day is September 24th, which belongs to Libra season.

My beloved Spiritual Warriors, allow this Virgo season to birth a new version of you by releasing old toxic energy, focusing on new tasks, carrying things out to its’ finish line, expanding your horizons, and elevating your vibration.

With Divine Love,

Spiritual Doctor AFI

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